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How Urban Green Infrastructure Can Affect Local Air Pollution and Health
Citation:
Baldauf, R. How Urban Green Infrastructure Can Affect Local Air Pollution and Health. Presented at 1st CARTEEH Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, February 18 - 20, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
Exposures to traffic emissions near large roadways and other transportation facilities has been shown to be a major public health concern. Roadside structures, including vegetation, have been shown to be one of the few short-term mitigation options available to communities to improve local air quality; however the efficacy of this method is highly dependent on the type and characteristics of the vegetation. EPA has developed recommmendations for the construction of roadside vegetation to improve local air quality. These recommendations can be used by local governments to implement near-road air pollution mitigation while also enhancing many other aspects of the community to provide overall improved public health for its citizens. These recommendations can also be used by urban and transportation planners to provide environmental, social and economic benefits at the local level.
Description:
Summary of near-road air pollution health concerns and mitigation options, with a detailed review of how urban green infrastructure can affect local air quality based on previous EPA research